Anthrax is a fatal disease caused by a family of tiny rod-shaped bacteria, Bacillus anthracis, that kill by producing two lethal toxins. The danger of anthrax lies in its resilience: it forms tiny, tough spores that can survive extreme temperatures, lack of nutrients and harsh chemical treatment, remaining dormant for decades. The first toxin triggers tissues to swell and leak body fluids. The second over-activates the immune system, and the body destroys its own defences. Madhumita Venkataramanan